Chris Walker isn’t just talking marketing anymore. Not the typical B2B playbook stuff. In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, Chris and I got real about the internal journey that’s been way more impactful than any growth hack: upgrading your mind, your energy, and your beliefs.

Fresh off a month-long trip to Tulum, Australia, and Fiji, Chris brought a new kind of clarity to the conversation. For the first time, he was able to fully unplug—and his business kept growing without him. No stress. No buried inbox. No playing catch-up.

That freedom?

That’s the real win. And it started with changing the way he thinks, feels, and shows up.

Chris used to feel like he had to pull people along. Like he was a tugboat, dragging folks toward progress—whether in marketing or in life. That wore him out.

Now, he sees himself more like a lighthouse. He shines his light. He shares what he knows. And the people who are ready? They come. The ones who aren’t? They pass by. No forcing. No chasing.

This shift changed everything for him—his business, his energy, and his relationships. Things don’t feel hard anymore. If something feels like a struggle, that’s a sign it’s not aligned. Instead of fighting through resistance, he steps back and asks, “What’s off here?”

Here’s what most leaders miss: the step between thinking and doing is feeling. Chris doubled down on this idea. When you feel confident, you act differently. When you feel stuck or unworthy, you shrink back. And those feelings? They’re tied to your thoughts.

Chris says most of us are running outdated mental software—stuff we picked up from childhood, school, old jobs, past relationships. And unless we take the time to stop, reflect, and rewrite that code, we keep reliving the same patterns.

Chris talked about Dan Sullivan’s concept of the “Four Freedoms”—time, money, relationships, and purpose. For years, like many entrepreneurs, he thought making more money would unlock the rest. But he learned the hard way that money alone doesn’t give you peace.

At one point, his company was generating $20 million a year. He had the followers, the podcast, the awards. But on the inside? He felt stuck. He had built his identity around business performance. When things were up, he felt good. When they dipped, so did his self-worth.

That realization was a wake-up call. He began separating who he is from what he does. That emotional detachment gave him space to actually enjoy life, make better decisions, and show up from a place of calm—not pressure.

The self-limiting beliefs that used to drive him—“I’m not smart enough,” “No one cares what I have to say,” “I have to suffer to succeed”—they don’t run the show anymore. And when those old thoughts pop up, he knows what to do: spot them, question them, rewrite them.

Chris isn’t looking outside himself for permission, approval, or direction. He’s learned to trust his own instincts—and it’s changed everything.

Looking to the future, Chris believes we’re on the edge of something big. As AI continues to automate more of our tasks—mental and physical—the only real differentiator left is us. Our awareness. Our creativity. Our energy. Our emotional intelligence.

He predicts a kind of natural selection: those who learn to tap into their intuition, stay grounded in their purpose, and manage their energy will rise. Those who stay stuck in outdated mental loops? They’ll struggle.

And here’s the kicker: this evolution isn’t about buying new tools or chasing trends. It starts with a notebook. A quiet moment. A willingness to look within.

Why this matters: In a world full of what often can feel like ever-increasing confusion, complexity, and chaos, taking a few minutes to think through your thinking provides clarity and peace of mind. This makes it easier for you to see things differently and then use your unique perspective to help your prospects.